Metrolinx Engage: Shape the future of transportation in your community

Shape the future of transportation in our community

The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) is now home to nearly 7 million people and heading towards 10 million by 2041. Metrolinx is bringing more transit and more connections to more places within the GTHA. Every community transit project plays a vital role in shaping the regional transportation plan, and Metrolinx wants to share their plans and get your feedback.

Metrolinx will be hosting regional open houses beginning November 7, 2016 and will run through until November 29, 2016. Please join one of their community open houses to learn about key transit projects relevant to your community, provide feedback and talk to their staff. Open houses start at 6:30 p.m. with presentations beginning at 7:00 p.m. Topics include:

Review of proposed mitigation strategies

Feedback on Environmental Assessment (EA)/Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) to build new track and electrification infrastructure in the following areas:

GO Rail Network Electrification TPAP (Hydro One as co-proponents)

Barrie Rail Corridor Expansion TPAP

Lakeshore East – Don River to Scarborough Expansion TPAP

Review of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)

The Vaughan Open House will take place on Thursday, November 24, 2016 at the Vellore Village Community Centre located on 1 Villa Royale Avenue in Woodbridge. Click here for a full list of Open House dates and locations.

What to know before you go…

What is the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)?

The Regional Transportation Plan (The Plan) is centred on developing an integrated transportation system that enhances our prosperity, environment and quality of life across the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area (GTHA). It is more than a transit plan: it articulates a vision for all modes of transportation in the region, supporting both people and goods movement. Effective transit and transportation solutions can bolster our global competitiveness, protect our environment, and improve our quality of life. Expanding transportation can also help create thousands of new green and well-paid jobs, and save billions of dollars in time, energy and other efficiencies. The Plan is unfolding through projects such as the transformation of the GO rail network to bring allday, two-way frequent train service to the region, with connections to new light rail and bus rapid transit in Toronto, York, Mississauga and Hamilton, all enabled by PRESTO. We’re also delivering on initiatives to help incorporate active and sustainable transportation into the daily commute, including carpooling, walking and cycling, through our SmartCommute program.

What is the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP)?

Since July 2015, Metrolinx has commenced the pre-consultation phase of the Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) for network electrification. The TPAP is an expedited Environmental Assessment (EA) process involving a pre-consultation phase followed by a regulated 120-day TPAP phase whereby the environmental effects of the project will be analyzed. To date, this work has involved comprehensive baseline conditions data collection within the project Study Area (see map below) which encompasses six GO rail corridors, including potential locations for the required electrical power supply and distribution facilities. Listed below is the detailed Transit Project Assessment Process.

What is Electrification?

Metrolinx is electrifying GO-owned rail corridors as part of its plan to transform GO from a commuter train service into the backbone of rapid transit network that links up with LRTs to connect people and communities across the GTHA. Electric trains can accelerate faster and stay at top speed for longer, saving time for existing customers and helping attract new customers. By attracting additional riders, frequent electric rail slows the growth of road congestion and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. Lower operating and maintenance costs of electric service mean that operating dollars go further and we will be able to offer more trips on the same budget. Click here to learn about what electrification involves and how it works.

Click here if you have questions or would like more information on all topics that will be discussed at the Open House.